Illuminated dental retractor

ABSTRACT

A dental apparatus for retracting the cheeks and lips of a patient and illuminating the oral cavity of a patient is provided. The dental apparatus includes LEDs mounted on the cheek retractors. The apparatus allows a dentist to illuminate the interior of the oral cavity without needing additional equipment that hinders access to the oral cavity.

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/151,948, filed Feb. 12, 2009. The entirety ofthat application is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to dental apparatuses for illuminatingthe oral cavity of a patient's mouth. The apparatuses include cheekretractors and light emitting diodes (LEDs) to provide substantiallyuniform illumination during use.

Illuminating the oral cavity during dental procedures is important foreffective treatment. Dentists must be able to see, review, and accessthe inside of a patient's mouth clearly during dental examinations,checkups, cleanings, dental procedures, and oral surgery. However,access to the interior of the mouth is difficult, in part because theoral cavity is generally accessed through only one opening, the lips.All equipment must pass through the lips, but the dentist must remainable to see the interior of the mouth.

Exterior light sources are common. However, the common dental lamp hasmany drawbacks. The exterior light can be easily blocked by, forexample, the dentist's head or hands, the equipment, or the patient'steeth, gums, lips, or tongue. All of these body parts can cause shadowsthat hinder the dentist's sight. The intensity of the light illuminationdiminishes as the distance between the light source and the patientincreases. Also, external lights can cause discomfort in a patient'seyes. Finally, some portions of the oral cavity, such as the lingualside of the incisors, cannot be illuminated directly from outside themouth without significant re-positioning and uncomfortable posturechanges on the part of the both the patient and dentist.

Some devices place a light source between the dentist and the mouth,which removes shadows caused by the dentist. However, these devices canoccupy desired space in the oral cavity or block the mouth itself, whichcan hinder the dentist's access to the interior of the mouth and/orsignificantly impair the dentist's range of motion and ability toeffectively perform dental procedures.

It would be desirable to provide an interior light source for the oralcavity that reduces these problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Disclosed, in various embodiments, are dental apparatuses for retractingthe cheeks and lips and illuminating the oral cavity of a patient. Theapparatus has a light illumination system which uses light emittingdiodes to illuminate the interior of the mouth. The dental apparatusescomprise two retractors, an arm connecting the retractors, and at leastone LED. The at least one LED is attached to the dental apparatus suchthat the interior of a patient's mouth can be illuminated without anexternal light source.

Disclosed in some embodiments is a dental apparatus or system comprisingtwo cheek retractors and a flexible arm that connects the tworetractors. At least one of the retractors comprises a U-shaped trough;a ridge extending transversely from the trough and away from the arm;and one or more light-emitting diodes (LED) secured to the ridge.Alternatively, both retractors are as described.

In further embodiments, there is one LED attached to each retractor. Inothers, two, three, four, or more LEDs are attached to each retractor.The LEDs can be secured along a centerline of the ridge.

In specific embodiments, the ridge is offset towards a superior edge ofthe retractor to cover Stenson's duct. The ridge of the retractorextends from about 1 to about 1.5 inches in various embodiments. In someembodiments, the ridge extends about 1.25 inches. The U-shaped troughmay have a depth of from about 0.25 to about 0.5 inches. The retractormay also have a power cord for powering the at least one LED, the powercord extending from an exterior side of the trough.

An angle exists between the U-shaped trough and the ridge. That angle isbetween about 40 and about 80° in several embodiments. That angle canalso be between about 50 and about 70°. In some specific embodiments,the angle is about 60°.

The arm of the apparatus may include one or more mechanisms for securingor holding a hose or tube (e.g. suction or power supply cord), such as ahook. The apparatus may further comprise an external battery and controlsystem that is adapted to independently power the LED on each retractor.

The LED may alternatively be embedded in the ridge. The resulting ridgemay have a smooth inner surface, or a raised inner surface, depending onthe depth to which the LED is embedded. The ridge may comprise asubstantially transparent material through which the LED transmitslight. In embodiments, the substantially transparent material has atransparency of at least 90 percent as measured by ASTM D1003.

Disclosed in other embodiments is a dental apparatus or systemcomprising two cheek retractors and a flexible arm that connects the tworetractors. At least one retractor comprises a lip-oriented face; anoral cavity-oriented face; and at least one light-emitting diode locatedon the oral cavity-oriented face.

The lip-oriented face may include a U-shaped trough and the oralcavity-oriented face may be on a ridge extending transversely from thelip-oriented face and away from the arm.

Disclosed in still other embodiments is a dental apparatus comprisingtwo cheek retractors; a flexible arm for connecting the two retractors;and an external control system. Each cheek retractor comprises aU-shaped trough, a ridge, at least one light-emitting diode (LED), ajoint, and a power cord. The U-shaped trough has two ends and a nadir.The ridge is attached to an interior side of the trough, extendstransversely from the trough, and is offset towards a superior side ofthe trough. The at least one LED is embedded in the ridge on an innersurface. The joint is used to connect the cheek retractor to the arm.The joint has a slot and extends from the nadir away from the two endsof the trough. The power cord extends from the exterior side of thetrough and is used to power the at least one LED. The flexible arm hastwo ends, and each end has a tab that engages the slot on the joint toconnect a cheek retractor to the arm. The external control systemincludes a battery for powering the LEDs on each retractor, and controlsfor turning the LEDs on and off.

In some embodiments, the the power cords of the two cheek retractors arejoined together to form a Y connection, integrally connecting the tworetractors together. Put another way, the two retractors are integrallyjoined to each other through their power cords.

A method for illuminating the oral cavity is also disclosed. The methodcomprises placing a dental apparatus in a patient's mouth and turning onat least one LED. The dental apparatus comprises two retractors, an armconnecting the retractors, and at least one LED. Each retractor has aU-shaped trough and a ridge extending transversely from the trough andaway from the arm. The at least one LED is attached to the ridge.

These and other non-limiting characteristics are more particularlydescribed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following is a brief description of the drawings, which arepresented for the purposes of illustrating the disclosure set forthherein and not for the purposes of limiting the same.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary dental apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a front view (i.e. from a patient's point of view) of anexemplary dental apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a rear view (i.e. from a dentist's point of view) of anexemplary dental apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an exemplary dental apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an exemplary dental apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second exemplary dental apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third exemplary dental apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of another exemplary dental apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A more complete understanding of the apparatuses disclosed herein can beobtained by reference to the accompanying drawings. These figures aremerely schematic representations based on convenience and the ease ofdemonstrating the present disclosure, and are, therefore, not intendedto indicate relative size and dimensions of the apparatuses thereofand/or to define or limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

Although specific terms are used in the following description for thesake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to theparticular structure of the embodiments selected for illustration in thedrawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of thedisclosure. In the drawings and the following description below, it isto be understood that like numeric designations refer to components oflike function.

The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive ofthe stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (forexample, it includes at least the degree of error associated with themeasurement of the particular quantity). In addition, the value or rangeendpoints so modified should also be considered as being disclosed. Forexample, the range “about 2 to about 4” should also be considered asdisclosing the range “2 to 4”.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the dental apparatus 10 comprises two cheekexpanders or retractors 20, 30. An arm 40 or crossbar is connected tothe two retractors, and the retractors 20, 30 can be separated from thearm. The arm has two ends 46, 48. The arm is generally made of aflexible material (see FIG. 3) and is biased to separate the tworetractors 20, 30 and increase the size of the mouth. Put another way,the arm should be able to “spring” between a flexed state and a relaxedstate. In the relaxed state, the two ends 46, 48 are further apart thanin the flexed state.

The arm 40 may have any shape generally suitable for holding a patient'smouth open without causing discomfort. The arm 40 includes one or moresecuring members 42 on either side, which can be used to hold a hose ortube being used for another purpose (e.g. suction or power supply cord).Here, the securing member is depicted as a hook, but other mechanisms,such as grips or clamps, are also contemplated. The arm, in its fullybiased, relaxed state, may have a length of about 8.2 inches between thetwo ends 46, 48. In use, the arm is located so that the arm itself doesnot block the dentist's access to the mouth or discomfort the patient,i.e. the arm hangs below the retractors 20, 30.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the cheek retractor 100 includes aU-shaped trough 110 that engages the lips and cheek. The U-shaped trough110 has a first end 310, a second end 312, and a curved nadir 314. Thefirst end 310 and the second end 312 may be considered as defining aproximal side 350 of the trough or the retractor, with the nadir 314defining a distal side 360 opposite the proximal side. An exterior side120 of the trough rests on the exterior of the mouth, while the interiorside 130 of the trough rests on the interior of the mouth between thecheek and the teeth (i.e. in the vestibule). A trough face 306 forms theU-shape of the trough and physically contacts the patient.

As seen in FIG. 1, a joint 125 connects the retractor 100 with the arm40. The joint is located on the exterior side 120 of the trough and onthe distal side 360 of the retractor. Here, the joint 125 is depicted asa slot 129 which accepts a tab 44 on the end of the arm 40. The joint125 extends laterally away from the ends 310, 312 of the trough, or inother words extends laterally from the nadir 314 of the trough 110 awayfrom the ends 310, 312. The trough 110 has a depth 112 of from about0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches on both the exterior side 120 and theinterior side 130. When viewed from the side as in FIG. 4, the troughshould be symmetrical, or in other words the depth 112 is the same whenmeasured from either the exterior side 120 or the interior side 130. Theretractor 100 is oriented so that the first end 310 and second end 312are closer to, or proximal to, the center of the arm 40.

A ridge 140 extends transversely from the trough 110. The ridge 140 canbe considered as extending in a longitudinal direction away from the arm40. The ridge can also be considered as being attached to the interiorside 130 and the distal side 360 of the trough 110, and extending intothe mouth. The ridge 140 extends laterally away from the ends 310, 312of the trough as well. An angle θ can be defined relative to the plane142 of the interior side 130 of the trough from which the ridge extends,and can be considered the angle between the U-shaped trough 110 and theridge 140. In embodiments, the angle θ is from about 40° to about 80°,including about 50° to about 70°, or about 60°. The ridge 140 may have alength 144 of from about 1 inch to about 1.5 inches, including about1.25 inches. The ridge 140 may be wider at its end 146 than at its base148 connecting to the trough (see FIG. 4). At least one light-emittingdiode 160 (LED) is secured to the ridge 140. If desired, multiple LEDs(i.e. two, three, four, or more) can be secured to the ridge.

As shown in FIG. 1, three LEDs are attached to the ridge. The LEDs liein a groove 150 formed in the ridge. As seen from the back side in FIG.4, holes 152 could be present in the groove where adhesive, such asglue, is used to attach the LEDs to the ridge. However, embodiments arealso contemplated where the LED(s) is secured, connected, or otherwiseattached to the ridge, without the use of adhesive, and not in a groove(as described further herein). The LEDs can be located on the ridge asappropriate.

A power cord 162 runs from each retractor 20, 30 to an external batteryand control system 170 for controlling and powering the LEDs. Theexternal control system 170 has a first end 172 and a second end 174,and also contains a battery or other power source for powering the LEDs.The first end 172 and second end 174 may be on opposite sides of theexternal control system. As depicted in FIG. 1, the power cord for oneretractor 20 is plugged into the first end 172, and the power cord forthe other retractor 30 is plugged into the second end 174. The LED(s) oneach retractor can then be independently turned on or off, e.g. byseparate switches located on this external control system. As depictedin FIG. 8, the power cord for each retractor runs to a “Y” connector176. A power cord 178 then runs from the Y connector 176 and connects toone end 172 of the external control system 170. Here, the LED(s) on thetwo retractors are turned on and off together. The power cord 162 foreach retractor may have a length of from about 12 inches to about 24inches, and generally is long enough so that the external control system170 rests on the patient's chest. Similarly, the power cord 178 for theY connector may have a length of from about 4 inches to about 12 inches,including about 6 inches.

Although the retractors 20, 30 and arm 40 can be sterilized, it may bedesirable that they be disposable as well. In some embodiments, theexternal battery and control system is separable from the retractors, sothat the external system can be reused with new retractors. In suchembodiments, it is contemplated that the power cord 162 is an integralpart of the retractor, and has a sufficient length to reach the externalcontrol system 170. The electrical connections from the LED to the powercord are sealed in the retractor itself due to the wet conditions of themouth, the routine use of water during dental procedures, and theattending electrical hazard. The power cord 162 would be plugged intothe external battery and control system. The retractors can be disposedof after one or several uses, or can be sterilized for reuse.

As seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the LEDs 160 receive power through a wire320 or similar conducting device. The wire 320 runs from the LED on theridge 140 to the exterior side 120 of the retractor. The power cord 162runs from the exterior side 120 to the external control system 170 toprovide power to the LEDs. The wire 320 can be embedded in the retractoror located along the surface thereof. The power cord 162 emerges fromthe exterior side 120 of the retractor, but the specific locationthereof is generally not important.

It should be noted that the angle θ between the trough 110 and the ridge140 allows the ridge to push the cheek away from the teeth as well,enlarging or increasing the size of the oral cavity and keeping theridge out of the way of the mouth or any equipment used by the dentist.

Using other terms, the cheek retractor 100 includes a lip-oriented face200 and an oral cavity-oriented face 210 (See FIG. 2 and FIG. 5). Alight-emitting diode is located on the oral cavity-oriented face. Thelip-oriented face may be a U-shaped trough. The oral cavity-orientedface may be located on a ridge 140 extending transversely from thelip-oriented face and away from the arm 40. In some embodiments, theangle θ between the lip-oriented face 200 and the oral cavity-orientedface 210 is from about 40° to about 80°. In other embodiments, the angleθ is from about 50° to about 70°. In specific embodiments, the angle θis about 60°.

As noted in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the cheek retractor 100 may have a height212 of about 2.1 inches and a width 216 of about 2 inches. The ridge 140may extend from the exterior side 120 into the mouth for a lateraldistance 214 of about 2 inches.

FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of a cheek retractor 100 suitable foruse in the dental apparatus 10. In this embodiment, there is no groove150 on the ridge 140. Rather, the LEDs 160 are embedded into the ridge140. The ridge 140 has a smooth inner surface 300 which is made from asubstantially transparent material that allows the LED light to shinethrough the inner surface 300 and illuminate the oral cavity. Inembodiments, the material has a transparency (% T) of at least 90%, asmeasured by ASTM D1003. Many known materials meet this requirement, suchas acrylic, polyester, epoxy, urethane, polycarbonate, and nylon resins.

In other embodiments shown in FIG. 7, the ridge 140 has a raised innersurface 302 instead, with the LEDs 160 still being embedded into theridge 140. In both FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the LEDs can be connected to thepower cord 162 of FIG. 1. It should be noted that the LEDs 160 areplaced along a centerline 304 of the ridge 140.

Stenson's duct opens upon the inner surface of the cheek by a smallorifice opposite the first or second molar tooth of the upper jaw. Asseen in FIG. 4, the ridge 140 may be offset towards the superior edge330 of the retractor 100 or the trough 110, and away from the inferioredge 340. Put another way, the ridge is closer to the superior edge 330than the inferior edge 340. This offset allows the ridge 140 to coverStenson's duct, reducing the amount of saliva actually introduced intothe oral cavity or at least redirecting the saliva along the innersurface of the cheek. The distance between the ridge 140 and thesuperior edge 330 can be considered the superior height 335, and thedistance between the ridge 140 and the inferior edge 330 can beconsidered the inferior height 345. The superior height 335 can be about0.3 inches. The inferior height 345 can be about 0.7 inches. In otherembodiments, the ratio of the superior height 335 to the inferior height345 is from about 0.2 to about 0.8, including about 0.4. It should benoted that both retractors 20, 30 have this offset of the ridge towardsthe upper lip. Thus, the two retractors 20, 30 can be considered mirrorimages of each other, but they are not interchangeable with each other.Put another way, one retractor 20 is considered a left retractor, whilethe other retractor 30 is considered a right retractor.

Regarding FIG. 8, it is also contemplated that in some embodiments, thetwo retractors 20, 30 are integrally connected to each other through theY connector 176. Put another way, the power cords 162 of the two cheekretractors are joined together to form a Y connection. The externalcontrol system 170 then needs only one socket into which the Y connectoris plugged. Another advantage of these embodiments is that thecombination of the retractors, power cords, and Y connector providedirectionality to the assembly and it is clear which retractor should beattached to which end of the flexible arm 40.

The various parts of the dental apparatus can be made by methods knownin the art. For example, molds can be made for the desired shapes of theretractors and arms. Molten polymer is poured into the molds and thencooled into solid form to form the retractor. The retractor is removedfrom the molds and LEDs are attached to the retractors using fastenersor adhesives such as glue. Alternatively, the LEDs are placed in themold and the resin is poured into the mold to encase or embed the LEDs.As yet another alternative, a mold is made containing a groove. The LEDsare then placed into the groove, and resin is then poured to fill in thegroove and encase or embed the LEDs. Generally, the trough 110 and ridge140 of the retractor are made from the same material for ease ofmanufacture. The material used to make the retractor should be abiocompatible and/or medical grade polymeric material. Desirably, thematerial has low or zero water absorption, i.e. does not absorb water.

The apparatuses of the present disclosure have been described withreference to exemplary embodiments. Obviously, modifications andalterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding thepreceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplaryembodiments be construed as including all such modifications andalterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claimsor the equivalents thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A dental apparatus for retracting andilluminating the oral cavity of a patient, comprising: two cheekretractors; and a flexible arm connecting the two retractors; wherein atleast one of the two cheek retractors comprises: a U-shaped trough, thetrough having an interior side and an exterior side, two ends, and anadir; a ridge extending transversely from the interior side of thetrough in a longitudinal direction away from the arm and offset towardsa superior edge of the trough; a joint on the exterior side of thetrough for connecting the retractor to the arm; and at least onelight-emitting diode (LED) embedded in the ridge on an inner surface. 2.The dental apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one LED is securedalong a centerline of the ridge.
 3. The dental apparatus of claim 1,wherein the ridge has a base that is connected to the trough and has anend, the ridge being wider at the end than at the base.
 4. The dentalapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power cord for powering theat least one LED, the power cord extending from an exterior side of thetrough.
 5. The dental apparatus of claim 1, wherein each U-shaped troughhas a depth of from about 0.25 to about 0.5 inches.
 6. The dentalapparatus of claim 1, wherein the angle between the U-shaped trough andthe ridge is from about 50° to about 70°.
 7. The dental apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the angle between the U-shaped trough and the ridge isabout 60°.
 8. The dental apparatus of claim 1, wherein the arm includesat least one securing member for holding a hose.
 9. The dental apparatusof claim 1, further comprising an external battery and control systemfor powering the at least one LED on the retractor.
 10. The dentalapparatus of claim 1, wherein the ridge has a smooth inner surface. 11.The dental apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ridge has a raised innersurface.
 12. The dental apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ridgecomprises a substantially transparent material through which the atleast one LED can transmit light.
 13. The dental apparatus of claim 12,wherein the substantially transparent material has a transparency of atleast 90 percent as measured by ASTM D1003.
 14. A dental apparatus usedto enlarge and illuminate the oral cavity of a human patient,comprising: two cheek retractors; and a flexible arm connecting the tworetractors; wherein at least one of the two cheek retractors comprises:a U-shaped trough having an interior side and an exterior side; a jointon the exterior side of the trough for connecting the retractor to thearm; an oral cavity-oriented face; and at least one light-emitting diode(LED) secured to the oral cavity-oriented face, wherein the oralcavity-oriented face is on a ridge extending transversely from theinterior side of the U-shaped trough in a longitudinal direction awayfrom the arm, and wherein the ridge is shaped and located offset towardsa superior edge of the trough so as to cover Stenson's duct.
 15. Adental apparatus for illuminating the oral cavity of a patient,comprising: two cheek retractors; a flexible arm connecting the tworetractors; and an external control system; wherein each cheek retractorcomprises: a U-shaped trough having two ends, a nadir, an interior side,and an exterior side; a ridge attached to the interior side of thetrough, extending transversely from the trough, and offset towards asuperior side of the trough; at least one light-emitting diode (LED)embedded in the ridge on an inner surface; a joint on the exterior sideof the trough for connecting the cheek retractor to the arm, the jointhaving a slot and extending from the nadir away from the two ends of thetrough; and a power cord extending from the exterior side of the troughfor powering the at least one LED; wherein the arm has two ends, eachend having a tab that engages the slot on the joint to connect the cheekretractor to the arm; wherein the external control system includes abattery for powering the at least one LED on each cheek retractor. 16.The dental apparatus of claim 15, wherein the power cords of the twocheek retractors are joined together to form a Y connection, integrallyconnecting the two retractors.
 17. The dental apparatus of claim 15,wherein the ridge has a smooth inner surface.
 18. The dental apparatusof claim 17, wherein the ridge comprises a substantially transparentmaterial through which the at least one LED can transmit light.